South Korea has launched a project-definition study for a medium-range surface-to-air missile system which it intends to develop indigenously as part of the country's modernisation of its air-defence network.
The study, known as K-MSAM, is a follow-on programme to the K-SAM Pegasus (or Shunma) short-range air-defence system, entering production after a contract award last December to K-SAM partners Daewoo, Lucky Goldstar Precision, Samsung and Thomson-CSF of France.
South Korea plans to replace its Hawk air-defence batteries by around 2008. Thomson-CSF, which owns 50% of Samsung Electronics and supplies the surveillance radar and fire control system for the K-SAM, is participating in the concept definition phase for K-MSAM.
According to Bertrand Wiart, weapon-systems project manager for Thomson-CSF Airsys, the French company is proposing systems being built for the Franco-Italian SAMP/T ground-based medium-range air-defence system.
The French may face competition from US and Russian missile builders. Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 Patriot development, a Raytheon ground-based AMRAAM system, and a Russian S-300 variant could be contenders.
Source: Flight International
